However, each year, there is one single event that rises up above them all. While I've only had the privilege of attending one of these events, I can tell you with certainty, that Gnomedex is a special event. Chris Pirillo takes it to new levels each and every year. Now granted, there have been some controversial talks, and heated discussions in years past, but what he's put together over the past 10 years is truly special (has it really been that long?).

I was quite upset that I missed the opportunity to attend last year's Gnomedex event due to a conflict with my summer vacation. That said, I'm definitely going to be around this year, and look forward to attending.

The reason why I feel I deserve to Tungle with Chris is that I'm pouring every last bit of effort into getting my startup (StratusQ) off the ground. We are self-funded at this point, and our battle-scarred team of four are pouring every extra penny we can spare to grow the business. As such, it's harder and harder to hop on the conference circuit without having the backing of an employer or other source of funding to help subsidize costs. I'm not a serial entrepreneur, but I've been waiting patiently for over 10 years for this opportunity (see: The Art of Bootstrapping in 2010) and having the ability to network with other like minded individuals at an event like Gnomedex is what I live for.

I also happen to be a user of Tungle.me (see: http://tungle.me/brianeisenberg) , which hopefully puts me in a favorable position to win a free pass to Gnomedex. If not, I'll continue to save my precious pennies and maybe scrape up enough $$ to purchase a conference pass.

Kudos to Chris and the rest of the Gnomedex volunteers for putting together the 10th installment of this special event.

Respectfully yours,

Brian Daniel Eisenberg

@infinitelymeta

My dad (http://ischool.uw.edu/directory/faculty/detail.aspx?id=3116)  is the Dean Emeritus and Professor at the UW iSchool (http://ischoool.uw.edu). We were talking over dinner just last night about how to bring more of the entrepreneurial spirit and passion for innovation to the city. The iSchool is rapidly becoming THE premier school in the country for Information Science. My dad, and a colleague - Kevin DeSouza - (http://ischool.uw.edu/directory/faculty/detail.aspx?id=6894) are looking to put together an exclusive board/advisory committee focused on bringing in external players into the UW to help raise $$$, fund scholarships and endowed chair positions.

I told them that I thought you might be an EXCELLENT candidate for such a position. This could be just what you are looking for, judging from the recent press regarding your attendance at the Tech Flash event last night. I really think you might enjoy transitioning from the commercial side of things and putting your energy into helping support growth and expansion of innovation and entrepreneurship in the PacNW.

I would be happy to broker a meeting between you and my dad and others at the UW if you are interested. Please let me know if you are interested.

Regards,

--Brian Daniel Eisenberg

@infinitelymeta

206.227.8535 (mobile)

The hashtag for this party/event is #july4eastlake and we'll also entertain the Friendfeed crew in this new group I just created: http://friendfeed.com/july4eastlake

Where: 2218 Franklin Ave East, Seattle, WA 98102 USA (Lake Union)

What: A party of course. BBQ, drinks, food, & FUN!

Food: Assorted burgers, hot dogs, skirt steak (for carne asada), salmon, chips, dips, cherries,. Don’t see anything you like, then bring you’re own.

Drinks: BYOB - I'll have some beer, wine, soda, but highly suggest you bring your own if you're going to be hitting the sauce hard this weekend.

What to expect:

* Great people, food, drinks, etc. You’ve heard of “block party”. This more like “neighborhood party”. There are pretty much parties at every house for a 10 square block area. Riley hosts the infamous party down on Minor St. - this year I think they have water slides planned and I'm sure they'll be doing other assorted craziness.
* Fireworks - all day, all night. For the big event, those brave enough can climb the ladder and get on top of my roof for an UNABATED view of Lake Union, the fireworks barge, and Gasworks park. It’s insane ...the view. I’ll be streaming it live on UStream and also recording some HD video.
* Tons of traffic. If you want to come early, it is highly suggested. Street parking fills up by about 2pm. I have no off street parking available, so if you can use public transit or ride a bike, that’s the best way to get around.
* They close the streets to through traffic for like 10 square blocks around my neighborhood so don’t count on being able to take the side streets.
* If you are planning to stay and watch the fireworks, plan on staying LATE. If you thought it was bad getting into Eastlake, wait till you try to get OUT. There’s no rush, so if you are planning on driving down and then driving back, expect to get out no earlier than 1am.

I think that’s about it. If you are in Seattle and in the Eastlake neighborhood, I highly recommend you stop by and at least say hello. Great old article on Eastlake Community / neighborhood - http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19910425&slug=1279531

Call me on my mobile @ 206.227.8535 if you have any questions or get lost.

Happy 4th Everyone! Despite what everyone else around the world thinks of US, I am still DAMN proud to be an AMERICAN.

Coffee, breakfast, and some light coding / app config. Then bailed for home, which is where I'm at right now. As it's a holiday weekend, where many our out squeezing in one last extended summer weekend, I'm pretty well tied up with the reality that are my unavoidable deliverables. I've got no problem spending my weekend this way, as I know I am working hard towards something much bigger. So with that, here's a list of what I've got on tap this Labor Day weekend.

What are you all doing? @infinitelymeta me on Twitter or *Like* this post on Friendfeed to get in on the conversation. That's where I tend to hang out on socnets these days.

Happy Labor Day everyone!

Brian's Uber List

1. New range/oven delivery for unit 2214 (one of my new tenants stove broke so I replaced it with this:
   
2. Put out For Rent sign for my soon to be available 1BR apartment in Eastlake, Seattle WA 98102. It rents for $1400 and is the entire lower floor of an historic Victorian home that was built in 1908. An excellent spacious unit with great lighting. Email eastlakeassociates at gmail if interested or call 206.328.3379 and leave a message.

   

3. Java/JSF/AJAX - I'm putting the final interfaces and code tweaks in place for a project that I've spend a quarter working on. Final interfaces in place, but still have 75+ line item bug list. Need to go code complete by Monday evening to begin FTP transfer of Development VMware image from one side of our network to an internal only host. Still have A LOT of work ahead of me to finish this project and go into team only beta next week with Public Beta (internal corp net) on Sept 8.
   
4. Landscaping & trim to prep for fall. Luckily, I really enjoy this task. Especially when my 5.5 yr old nephew Logan joins me. He makes some pretty good coin and he's a GREAT helper.
   
5. Working with my friend Thom, the Ichthyogenius on our latest project, Reef In A Box that we are looking to launch in the coming months.
6. Working on the YTranslate.us engine. Coding in PHP/mySQL/Python/etc. Toying with new SMS gateway (thanks to Mona' Friendfeed post).
7. Meeting with contractor on some fix-r-up-r projects for 3 of my apts in preparation for Fall/Winter.
8. Looking for electrician to install some motion-sensor aware lighting in my back alley and in between my building to deal with my unwanted-persons-on-my-property challenge.
9. Water changes & general maintenance on my 300 gallon reef tank.
10. Prep/meet with GC on new reef tank project. Wait till you see what I'm going to build. It's gonna pop!
11. Shade garden v2. Part of the landscaping stuff I suppose, but definitely worthy of mention.
12. Replace fire extinguisher in common area to be in compliance with recent Seattle City Fire Department inspection.

That's all I can remember for now.

Follow the Friendfeed conversation.

I think right now I need to continue to focus, not lose track of what is most important, and constantly assess and re-assess my priorities in how I spend those 24 hours each and every day.

With that, I'm off to meet Sarah Lacey and friends for her User Generated Book Tour - SEATTLE.

Tomorrow I have a VERY special meeting with one of my advisors who is going to give me a personal tour of what he is working on. I'll take lots of pics, ask questions, and blog it when I get back. Then it's off to the Tweetup and finally the Gnomedex 2008 kickoff.

Hopefully this torrential rain will let up soon. Currently looking strikingly similar to the Pineapple Express weather pattern that we had back in 1997. Time will tell. Personally, I don't mind the rain. What I do mind are the CRAPPY Seattle drivers who seem to not know how to drive in it.

Onward!

- ∞ +

I typically invite those who are brave enough to climb both ladders and view the fireworks from the roof of my 4-plex building as there are unabated views of the Fireworks barge and Lake Union from there. The view is spectacular and the Fireworks show this year was most excellent.

What I hadn't expected was the mass migration of people from surrounding houses/parties to my roof! At one point, my brother in-law counted over 50 people on the roof. There was even a DOG! Someone even brought the KEG up. It was unreal. I was a bit nervous about the structural integrity of the roof, but I asked everyone to spread out and distribute the weight. I also asked folks to stay away from the edge and just be careful.

The fireworks show was most excellent and I'll be importing and converting the HD video I shot as soon as possible. Until I get that up, here's the raw video footage. There is probably some language and conversations that are NSFW, so apologies in advance. I claim no responsibiilty for the content (audio) portion of the video. Enjoy! We did.